Our regular readers know that Gil and I are strong proponents of “going green” - living in an environmentally conscientious way to make the world a better place not just for us, but for future generations as well. We recently came across a terrific piece by Lara Edge at HouseLogic, in which she highlighted some awesome ideas for ways to live green without being made of gold. Why do we say that? Well, because almost everything we hear and see about living green involves buying things like solar panels or Energy Star appliances. And while those purchases are undoubtedly important, there are some really cheap and easy things that those aspiring to go green can do right now!
First and foremost – and FREE – make the effort to think (every day) about your family's energy consumption. You may protest that you already do this, but making a conscious effort to use less – turning off the water while you brush your teeth, turning off lights when you leave the room – can and should become a priority. It's easy; it takes about 27 days to form a habit.
Although it can be really tempting, work on resisting the desire to buy. In past columns, we've given you ideas and instructions for creating your own “green” cleaning products and processes using simple, handy ingredients. But when you absolutely must spend money, do so wisely. Condition yourself to read labels; look for terms like “non-toxic” and “biodegradable.”
Do you use power strips? If not, it was time to start using them yesterday! We all know that we can save electricity by turning off our electronic devices when we're not using them. Do you do this? We'd love to say that we do...but we don't! A great solution lies in what're called “smart strips;” they have sensors that can tell when a device isn't in use, and automatically shuts off its power supply. For around $25, it's a good compromise that can pay for itself fairly quickly if you've had a tendency to leave your electronics fully powered around the clock.
Do you have a crock pot? And if you do, is it sitting in a cabinet collecting dust? If so, you'll be delighted to know that your crock pot is a bonafide energy saver – either buy one, or pull yours out and start enjoying meals that are ready to eat when you walk in the door at the end of the day (there are also loads of recipes for breakfast foods that will be ready when your feet hit the floor in the morning!).
Do you have any great tips for going green without breaking the bank? Leave your comments below; we'd love to hear them!
The Marchany Team KNOWS central New Jersey. We're right where you are, whether you're in South Brunswick or Monroe (Middlesex County). If you're looking for a terrific new home in Mercer County, we're prepared to search for your place in the sun in Princeton Junction, East Windsor, West Windsor, and Robbinsville. And if you're ready to put your Franklin Park or Hillsborough (Somerset County) home on the market, we're prepared to find the buyers who are looking for your home. Call The Marchany Team today at (732) 997-0019, and don't forget to “Like” us on Facebook! We are dedicated to helping you in every way possible.
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